In contemporary times, cameos remain a strong feature of the entertainment industry. It’s a common practice with most films, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe surely sits atop the cameo throne. The late Stan Lee appeared a whopping 38 times in different Marvel movies and made over 1,000 cameos in other projects. These little shout-outs had become a defining trait of the MCU, up until the comic icon’s unfortunate death. The blockbuster superhero franchise will receive its latest installment with Captain America: Brave New World, and it’s heartbreaking to realize that he won’t be seen.
The idea of a surprise cameo is relatively straightforward: a well-known individual makes a small appearance on screen, and their unexpected presence becomes a spectacle. However, several factors revolve around their inclusion. Does the person play themselves, or are they merely a background character? More often than not, these short performances have little influence over the plot. In some cases, they are nearly impossible to catch.
10
Matt Damon – Deadpool 2 (2018)
Damon Plays A Redneck
Matt Damon has strongly asserted himself as one of the greatest actors of the generation. He’s appeared in countless iconic films over the years and continues to shine in his modern roles. For some reason, the Oscar-winning actor also has a frequent tendency to make cameos in the most unexpected places. Damon has pulled this move countless times, showing up in over a dozen films in cameo style.
Redneck #2 is credited as “Dickie Greenleaf,” a reference to Jude Law’s character in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
One of his lesser-known appearances takes place in David Leitch’s hysterical Deadpool sequel, and he’s completely unrecognizable. Damon plays the role of “Redneck #2,” a bearded, beer-drinking man who hilariously gets taken down by Cable (Josh Brolin) after only seconds of dialogue. It makes it even better that it’s a conversation about the inefficacy of toilet paper. He’s buried beneath a mountain of makeup and prosthetics, but sure enough, the esteemed actor sits beneath the disguise. It might not be the best Matt Damon movie cameo, but it’s certainly the most subtle.
9
Steve Buscemi – Pulp Fiction (1994)
Buscemi Plays A Waiter
Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to incorporating cameos into his work. The legendary director’s influence is so large, that even his fictional products show up in other films. For example, the iconic Big Kahuna Burger has appeared in movies eight times, even in projects that aren’t his own. Tarantino’s 1994 crime thriller masterpiece Pulp Fiction is no exception to this tendency.
During the scene where Vincent (John Travolta) and Mia (Uma Thurman) visit Jack Rabbit Slim’s restaurant, they are waited on by none other than Steve Buscemi. Considering the actor’s previous work in Reservoir Dogs, it makes sense that he ended up appearing in the director’s next film. Although Buscemi was only 37 years old when the movie was released, his disguise makes him seem nearly 10 years younger. He looks entirely different, and although the voice is a slight giveaway, it’s easy to miss.
8
Carrie Fisher – Hook (1991)
Fisher Appears On A Bridge
Cameos can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes the person’s role is clear as day, and in other cases, it would be impossible to recognize without prior knowledge. In the case of Carrie Fisher’s appearance in Hook, it’s more of a fun fact scenario than an actual cameo. Nevertheless, the actress shows up in the film, but there’s no way to tell that it’s her.
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During the scene where Tinker Bell (Julia Roberts) flies Peter back to Neverland, a floating couple can be seen kissing on a bridge just below them. It turns out that the two lovers are Star Wars icons Carrie Fisher and George Lucas. Fisher worked as a script doctor on Hook, which meant that she offered advice on aspects of things like narrative and characterization. The film’s director, Steven Spielberg, was good friends with both Lucas and Fisher and decided to include them.
7
Jim Carrey – Liar Liar (1997)
Carrey Plays A Firefighter
Fabled comedian Jim Carrey has brought joy to audiences across the globe for years. The man can create an eruption of laughter from his bizarre facial expressions alone. Carrey’s eccentric presence on screen has elevated many comedy films over the years, and he hasn’t lost any steam. The actor doesn’t often make cameos, but one of the few times he did, it was in his own film.
It’s a common occurrence when directors appear in their own movies, but it’s unheard of when a leading actor does it. If anyone was going to take on the challenge, it was Carrey. In his classic 1997 comedy Liar Liar, the cameo occurs for a split second. As Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) gets wheeled off by the paramedics, there’s a firefighter in the background doing the classic Carrey smile. Oddly enough, it’s the actor himself as Fire Marshall Bill, one of his beloved characters.
6
Cate Blanchett – Hot Fuzz (2007)
Blanchet Plays Janine
Edgar Wright’s 2007 buddy cop action comedy Hot Fuzz is one of the most underrated films in its genre. Packed with hilarious performances and an entertaining premise, it’s a shame that more people don’t know about it. Cate Blanchett’s short appearance in the movie is one of many cameos, including Peter Jackson as a knife-wielding Santa Claus.
Cate Blanchett is the first and only actor to win an Oscar for portraying another Oscar winner, a feat she accomplished with her role as Katharine Hepburn.
Blanchett plays the role of a forensics analyst named Janine, who is Nicholas’ (Simon Pegg) girlfriend. Towards the start of the film, she has a short conversation with Nicholas while investigating a crime scene. Dressed head to toe in full hazmat gear, it takes a keen eye to realize that it’s the renowned actress. It makes it even funnier that the two are breaking up, and her face isn’t even visible. Blanchett is set to star in the upcoming 2025 thriller Black Bag, where she will undoubtedly flourish.
5
Brad Pitt – Deadpool 2 (2018)
Pitt Plays Vanisher
Brad Pitt’s short-lived appearance in Deadpool 2 is arguably the funniest cameo to come out of Hollywood in years. In this comical sequel, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) assembles a rag-tag team of superheroes. One of the recruits is known as the Vanisher, a man whose power is simply permanent invisibility. In an unexpected twist, the see-through superhero is played by Brad Pitt.
Of course, this isn’t made clear right away. Pitt remains invisible for the entire runtime, up until he parachutes into a telephone wire and electrocutes himself. The film’s director, David Leitch, was Pitt’s stunt double in Fight Club, which is part of the reason the idea came to fruition. It’s a hilarious concept on its own. Including one of the biggest movie stars of all time in the leading cast, but making him completely invisible. Except, of course, for the three seconds when he dies.
4
Robert Downey Jr. – The Nice Guys (2016)
Downey Plays A Corpse
Certain cameos are so unorthodox that they raise the question of why they were included in the first place. If the goal is to pay homage to a certain person, then why throw them in if their presence will go unnoticed? Shane Black’s 2016 comedy The Nice Guys is a prime example of this notion, in which distinguished actor Robert Downey Jr. plays a corpse.
With just a dim-lit side profile and a bloody face, it’s impossible to make out distinct facial features, let alone recognize Downey. His appearance occurs when Holland March (Ryan Gosling) lights a cigarette in the woods, revealing the dead body. So why was Downey even there? It turns out that director Shane Black had collaborated with him on Iron Man 3 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and the two are close friends. Thus, the actor was included as a nod to their work together. A sequel to The Nice Guys is rumored to be in the works, but nothing is set in stone.
3
Stephen Colbert – The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (2013)
Colbert Plays A Laketown Spy
Stephen Colbert has expressed his adoration of everything Tolkien countless times on The Late Show. Of course, this also means that he is a die-hard fan of The Lord of the Rings films. The talk show host is so affectionate towards the franchise that he once decorated his set with a Bag End aesthetic just to interview Peter Jackson.
Thankfully for Colbert, his dreams came true when he got the chance to appear in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as a Laketown spy. Sporting a wig and a head covering, Colbert is gone in a flash, and it’s extremely difficult to tell that it’s him. It’s no secret that Jackson is comfortable incorporating cameos into his films. He has been present in all six of the Middle-Earth movies, and it’s a bit of a tradition for the director. Luckily for Colbert, he gave someone else the opportunity.
2
John Wayne – Wagon Train (1957)
Wayne Plays General William T. Sherman
Those who weren’t around to see Wagon Train missed out on the Golden Era of classic Hollywood westerns. Although it was just a show, the epic old-time tale was packed with amazing adventures and beautiful environments. Most people are unaware of the fact that the legendary John Wayne made a cameo in this classic Western series.
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Wayne’s short-lived presence occurs in season 4, episode 9, titled “The Colter Craven Story.” He plays the role of General William T. Sherman under the pseudonym Michael Morris. While his face isn’t visible, the actor’s iconic voice partly gives it away. At the time this episode was created, John Wayne had already established himself as a massive star, so the fact that he showed up in a TV series was a big deal, especially back then.
1
Daniel Craig – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Craig Plays A Stormtrooper
The very thought of a Stormtrooper-based cameo is hysterical. Covered head to toe in armor, there is no way for the audience to know who’s behind the mask. An army could be composed entirely of A-list celebrities, and nobody would raise an eyebrow. That’s essentially what happened in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where famous 007 actor Daniel Craig portrayed one of the galactic soldiers.
His presence in the blockbuster is more of a piece of trivia, considering it’s impossible to know that it’s Craig. The actor’s brief appearance occurs when Rey is imprisoned on the Starkiller base. Craig plays the Stormtrooper who ends up letting Rey go after succumbing to the force. His voice was replaced in post-production, so there isn’t a single indication that the man behind the suit is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood. There are many upcoming Star Wars movies, and maybe Craig will reprise his role.
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7.3/10
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
PG-13
ActionAdventureFantasy Sci-Fi
Set 30 years after Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens teams new heroes Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), who is now a General in the Rebel Alliance. Together they try to track down Luke Skywalker while battling the First Order, led by the villainous Kylo Ren. The Force Awakens is the first Star Wars film to be produced by Disney and was directed by JJ Abrams.
Release Date
December 17, 2015
Runtime
136 Minutes
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
Cast
Daisy Ridley
, John Boyega
, Oscar Isaac
, Harrison Ford
, Mark Hamill
, Carrie Fisher
, Adam Driver
, Andy Serkis
, Lupita Nyong’o
, Max Von Sydow
, Peter Mayhew
, Simon Pegg
Director
J.J. Abrams
Writers
Lawrence Kasdan
, J.J. Abrams
, Michael Arndt
Studio(s)
Lucasfilm Ltd.
, Bad Robot
Distributor(s)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
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